San Francisco hotel workers go on strike for better wages, workloads, healthcare
About 2,000 San Francisco hotel workers are on strike demanding better wages, fair workloads, and adequate healthcare.
On Sunday, over 300 workers from the Marriott-operated Palace Hotel walked off the job to join other workers from Westin St. Francis and the Union Square locations of the Grand Hyatt, Hilton, and Marriott.
"This is the only way corporations can move to bargain our contract, other than that they don't pay attention to us," said Palace Hotel employee Carlos Narvaez.
Narvaez is a storage room clerk who moves boxes and unloads hundreds of pounds worth of goods each day. He has worked for the hotel for 27 years.
"My job is physically very difficult," said Narvaez, whose wife also works at the hotel.
The work takes a toll on his body. He knows one day it may injure him and he may need help from a doctor, but Marriott's current offer will make getting that help more difficult and expensive.
"Marriott is trying to take from us our healthcare which is basically one of the most important issues in our contract," he said.
Narvaez isn't alone in his concerns. Phu Nguy works in the hotel kitchen as a chef. He has a family and a child who rely on the healthcare benefits.
"I still have a kid, 14 years old, he's autistic and the benefits we need it for him, too," said Nguy.
Nguy says it's already difficult to afford to care for his family on his current salary and they need more.
"One job right now is not really enough," said Nguy, who is debating getting another job. "If I'm looking for a second job, I don't think I can have any time with my family."
Ted Waechter, organizer with United Here Local 2, said he hopes seeing all these people striking and sharing their stories will resonate with Marriott leaders.
"That will incentivize them to come to the negotiating table with us and make a deal that enables hotel workers really to live and support their families in this beautiful city where we welcome guests," said Waechter.
Union leaders say they negotiated for months before they decided to strike. Now they will continue striking until they can get what they believe is a fair deal.
CBS News Bay Area reached out to Marriott but hasn't received a response yet.